Grapple Weight

[abrahamd]

Hi all.

I'm expecting delivery of my new MX5800 next week and am looking at grapples to help me deal with slash piles and burn piles. I see that the lift capacity of the 5800 is 2310lbs. The tractor weighs 3734 lbs but will have filled tires and a 700 lb box out back. I've seen several different models and types of grapples out there, but what I'm really looking for is commentary on grapple weights and how those with MX series Kubotas are finding them. Some, such as the Land Pride SGC15 series are 800+ lbs, while the EA wicked series is half that, and there are multitudes of models/manufacturers in between. At the moment I'm considering a Blue Diamond Standard Duty or perhaps Heavy Duty rock bucket w/grapple as I have rock work to do also, and the difference is 628 vs 740 lbs. Do these seem typical weights for a loader of this capacity? Please advise, I have no frame of reference. I've seen attachments 'recommended' by hp but the 5800 kind of sits in a grey area - lots of hp, not so much loader capacity.

Thanks!

 

[k0ua]

Well, I am a fan of the EA grapples, Of course I may be biased as I own one. But I think their philosophy of using higher tensile steel and less of it to get the strength needed instead of lower strength steel and using thicker pieces of that is a good idea. You wind up with more lift capacity left over to do useful work with. Others opinions may differ, but we are all entitled to our opinions.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I'm a huge fan of the "more useful", pallet forks with a matching grapple... That combo is much more useful and works better with brush piles too!

The forks will slide under the piles easier, and hold more brush, because they are longer.... Then grapple the whole pile and take it away...

Best part is, you can move logs, pallets and most other things without a tool change...

ooohhh, one thing the pallet forks/grapple doesn't do, is look as "cool" as a dedicated grapple...

SR

 

[LD1]

A grapple can do some things that forks / grapple combo cannot though. There are always trade offs.

The grapple I have is a tomakawk Tomahawk Attachments - Factory Direct

I got the 66" single lid grapple. Made of 3/8". While I dont think I would want this grapple on a 10000# tracked skidloader......I think it is a good match for the MX. Only cost ~$1000, and only weighs 415#. OEM bucket is 397#. So not much loss of capacity.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

A grapple can do some things that forks / grapple combo cannot though. There are always trade offs.

I'm still wondering what they are ?, as all the common things most folks do with a dedicated grapple, the pallet fork/grapple combo can ALSO do, plus a HUGE amount of things a dedicated grapple can't...

SR

 

[LD1]

I'm still wondering what they are ?, as all the common things most folks do with a dedicated grapple, the pallet fork/grapple combo can ALSO do, plus a HUGE amount of things a dedicated grapple can't...

SR

Grapple is better at picking up rocks. Like anything from basketball sized and up (to the limits of the machine).

When a tree has blown down in the field, and I cut all the brush off, load either logs or the firewood on the trailer, there is a remaining mess of brush, twigs, etc that needs shoved back up in the woods/fence-row. Grapple does this well....pallet forks not so much.

Sometimes win the woods, on smaller logs like 10"-12".......and I dont have good access nor do I want to get off and use a chain......I just grab the butt end of the log and pull backwards. This may or may not work well with forks....depending on their spacing.

I can push things while turning, like one can with a regular loader bucket. Forks dont like a ton of side load.

The grapple can also push/move dirt. There have been a few times, I have filled in a hole with the grapple. IT dont carry dirt well, but can push more than one would think if the soil isnt a real sandy type.

I can tilt the teeth down, penetrate ~3" of ground, and rip out roots

ETC

 

[oosik]

I went with a HD grapple - Land Pride SGC1560 @ 820#. I can still lift any reasonable rock or chunk of pine tree around here. I considered ANBO but the cost of transporting my tractor to their site, for grapple instal, was going to cost quite a bit. So far, I've not found anything that I can't lift with this setup.

My lift capacity is right around 2500# with this setup - which is more than enough for me.

 

[Steve1300]

I cut down a tree yesterday, so I ended up with 8' to 10' logs and lots of brush to burn. I could have used my forks to move the logs, but I think there are limits at to the ability to pick up more than one when they are offset and different lengths. My grapple doesn't really care. When picking up bunches of cut off limbs, the forks are more trouble than they are worth.

My grapple is a Land Pride and it is heavy. It is also strong. So far, I have manged to pick up very heavy stumps and move them with it. It is great to have options, and it is also nice to have a grapple that is 400 pounds lighter, but prices add up. As much as I want one of everything, my bank account won't support it.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I'm looking at a lighter weight grapple myself. My dealer sells Construction Attachments and Land Pride. They've been using the 600# units to save some lift capacity. They are very high quality but in the 2K range. Made up in Lenoir. I'm lucky in that I drive right past Everything Attachments going to work and may end up getting one from them. Or I could make a trip to Denton. Lots of options in NC.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Grapple is better at picking up rocks. Like anything from basketball sized and up (to the limits of the machine).

When a tree has blown down in the field, and I cut all the brush off, load either logs or the firewood on the trailer, there is a remaining mess of brush, twigs, etc that needs shoved back up in the woods/fence-row. Grapple does this well....pallet forks not so much.

Sometimes win the woods, on smaller logs like 10"-12".......and I dont have good access nor do I want to get off and use a chain......I just grab the butt end of the log and pull backwards. This may or may not work well with forks....depending on their spacing.

I can push things while turning, like one can with a regular loader bucket. Forks dont like a ton of side load.

The grapple can also push/move dirt. There have been a few times, I have filled in a hole with the grapple. IT dont carry dirt well, but can push more than one would think if the soil isnt a real sandy type.

I can tilt the teeth down, penetrate ~3" of ground, and rip out roots

ETC

You have some good points there, but they aren't all accurate if you think pallet forks with matching grapple won't do those same things, and do them well, then it's obvious you haven't seen a good pair in action.

Of your list, moving dirt is the only thing the dedicated grapple isn't really as good at, although pallet forks pushed together will do it, as I've done it to fill smaller holes or level a spot off... I regularly do or have done all the rest of the things on your list, and my combo does them well...

I bet you, I can list more common things that folks do, (with picts.) and can do with pallet forks/grapple that a dedicated grapple won't do well, or in most cases, do at all...

There's a friendly challenge for you! lol

SR